The pre-order bonus for Bandai Namco Entertainment’s upcoming aerial combat game, Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, appears to include a copy of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War.
Much like how pre-ordering the PS4 and Xbox One version of Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown got buyers copies of Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War and Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation, respectively,it looks like Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve will come with a copy of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War in the form of a pre-order bonus across all platforms. As noticed by Twitter/X user ikcatcher (via AceCombatWiki), the SteamDB listing for the upcoming aerial combat game has been updated to add what appears to be a PC port of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War. It includes an additional launch option labeled “CNT”, likely referring to an upcoming Closed Network Test for the online mode featured in Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve.
Furthermore, another launch option included is a SteamOS launch for “ACZero”. Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve’s install directory is listed as “RUKBAT”, and while it’s currently unclear what this means, it may be an internal codename for the game, referencing a star in the Sagittarius constellation.
Bandai Namco Entertainment recently announced Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve during The Game Awards 2025. It is scheduled for release sometime later in 2026 across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and Windows PC. The game introduces a new campaign set in Strangereal, the fictional universe used throughout the series. According to the developer, players assume the role of a pilot known as the Wings of Theve, a figure associated with the capital city of the Federation of Central Usea. The storyline focuses on an effort to reclaim territory from the opposing Republic of Sotoa. Much like its predecessor, the upcoming game is said to feature a multiplayer mode.
